The Charlotte Hornets are currently conducting pre-draft workouts and evaluating numerous prospects each day. One of the recent workouts included six prospects, including Oscar Tshiebwe, a center from Kentucky.
Tshiebwe made a name for himself during his freshman year at West Virginia but decided to transfer to Kentucky during his sophomore season. He had an exceptional first season with the Wildcats, averaging 17.4 points, 15.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. Tshiebwe's outstanding performance earned him prestigious awards such as the 2022 Wooden Award, Naismith Award, SEC Player of the Year, and consensus All-American honors.
Although Tshiebwe's numbers slightly dipped in the past season, with averages of 16.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, and one block per game, he still led the country in rebounds per game. It's worth noting that Tshiebwe, standing at 6'9", outperformed taller opponents, such as Zach Edey who is 7'4". However, his size remains a concern for his transition to the NBA, where he will face elite big men like Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Anthony Davis.
Another aspect to consider is Tshiebwe's limited offensive range. While he excels as a back-to-the-basket and putback finisher, his scoring ability is mostly confined to close-range shots. Although he occasionally hits mid-range shots, he has minimal experience with three-pointers, attempting only two throughout his college career.